Coastal
Policy and Politics, Pol Sci 442/542 (several different graduate
sections)Now also a custom tailored
section for Community Development Students

About Steffen "Dr. Politics" Schmidt

Why Coastal Policy is Important

Everyone
loves the seashore and the coast. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration estimates that
- by 2011 the population density along the American coasts will be well over
400 people per square mile, 4x the rest of the country;
- there are 23 U.S. coastal states and over 100 countries;
- a substantial proportion of the world population outside the United States is
also “coastal.”

This creates lots of issues affecting coastal life requiring urgent attention.
We know that from the recent killer hurricanes to the threat of global warming
and rising seas.

Coastal
policy in the United States has been disjointed. The Providence (R.I) Journal said it's "
... a jumble of federal and state agencies and 43 congressional committees have
jurisdiction over the oceans and coasts."

New U.S.and international coastal policy efforts require bold,
integrated policy-making and public participation, volunteer work, and
cooperation with private business.

This
summer you have an opportunity to take a six-week completely online Coastal
Policy course focusing on coastal zone management policy issues. Offered for
undergraduate or graduate credit, this course presents exciting opportunities
for
- political and environmental scientists,
- public managers,
- policy makers,
- teachers,

Testimonials from Students:

Summer Coastal Policy Class Graduate StudentI took your Coastal Policy class last year. I was just
interviewed for a non governmental organization and
passed the oral interview with flying colors because many of the questions they
asked about global environmental issues were covered in your class! Thanks,
thanks! I enjoyed the class and was made a job offer this week.

Summer Coastal Policy Community Development Graduate
Student Your Coastal Politics class was interesting and I never realized how
important the coasts and beaches are to everything. I also never knew that
such a huge percent of American live close to coasts and that these are the
fastest growing areas in population and economic development/jobs. I see a
story about coasts and oceans every week somewhere. And with Katrina, all of
this could be an even bigger disaster waiting to happen! For Community
Development this class is a MUST TAKE! Thanks.

Summer Coastal Policy Class Pol Sci Undergraduate
StudentThe discussion postings in your coastal class were really
excellent! I still keep up with some of the students in
there on Face Book. It was a serious, hard and very rewarding class.

Summer Coastal Policy Environmental Science StudentThis was the best distance class I have ever taken. Prof. Schmidt,
you were there almost every day. The videos and short personal lectures were
very entertaining and informative. The discussion among
students were wonderful! Thanks so much.